Alex Borg promises to cut energy bills by a third if elected

Updated 7.24pm with Alex Borg's new proposal

A Nationalist Party in government will lower energy bills by a third, leader Alex Borg promised on Sunday.

Borg was addressing an energetic crowd of supporters in Bormla, a known Labour stronghold, when he made the pledge. 

Borg did not elaborate on how a PN government will achieve this reduction, but said more details will be revealed in the coming days and weeks. 

The PN leader received a warm welcome from the crowd, which filled the parking lot on the corner of Triq it-8 ta’ Diċembru.

He started off by thanking the Nationalist MPs who will not be recontesting the next election. 

“They ended their commitment at the front line, but rest assured I’m giving them a lot to do to make sure the PN wins the general election.”

Borg also paid tribute to Ugo Mifsud Bonnici, a former Nationalist politician who went on to serve as president of Malta. 

He said that, while many politicians have served in the Nationalist Party and given a lot to the country, the PN also has a long list of new candidates with experience and energy who are contesting the election on May 30. 

Borg listed several proposals the party made in the first week of campaigning, including a national health park in Selmun, a 25% increase in stipends, and a five-year tax break for Maltese expats who choose to return home. 

He criticised one of the Labour Party’s latest pledges that will grant workers the right to ask for compressed work hours.

Borg argued that this is no different to a four-day work week, which had been proposed by the PN months ago and was ridiculed by the government.

On Gozo, where Borg hails from, the PN leader said there will be 110 proposals for the island in the party’s as yet unpublished electoral manifesto. 

“Today, Gozitans have hope because they might finally have a prime minister who takes care of them. Gozo will no longer be an afterthought.”

Towards the end of his speech, Borg made his pitch to undecided voters as to why they should vote for the Nationalist Party. 

He said this is a chance to take the country in a new direction and create a change. “If you put your trust in me, as prime minister, the doors of Castille will be open to everyone all year round, every day, every hour.”

Borg also passed on a message to those who have been hurt by the PN or the Labour government.

“The PN isn’t perfect, but we’ve heard you. Let’s give our country a fresh start [“nifs ġdid”].”

“Whatever they say, we’re the underdogs. With you by our side, we can overturn any challenge.”

Ryan Callus confirms trust in Alex Borg

One of the Nationalist MPs who will not contest the election again is Ryan Callus. 

During the Labour Party’s Workers’ Day rally, Alex Agius Saliba said this was a show of distrust in the party leader.

However, Callus took to the stage on Sunday to confirm his trust in Alex Borg. He said the PN is the only party that can defend the national interest.

“If I lost trust in Alex Borg, would I be here today?” he said. 

He also pointed out that there are several Labour MPs who will not be contesting the election again. 

“There are those who stepped aside because they wanted to do so, and then there are those who were moved aside by force. That’s the difference between the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party.”

Callus then praised Alex Borg for managing to bring a more youthful energy to the party. “Robert Abela is trying to keep up with Alex Borg’s energy,” he said.

24/7 animal hospital

Improving healthcare has been at the forefront of Borg’s campaign, and now he is extending this commitment further for animals, as on Sunday evening, Borg promised to reopen the Ta’ Qali animal hospital and have it operational every day for 24 hours, including during holidays.

The PN leader made his pledge at a family event organised by his partner, Sarah Baraja, in Buskett on Sunday evening.

The PN had already appealed to the government in the past, asking it to reopen the hospital. Last month, it even claimed that the ongoing closure of the hospital had led to the death of a dog and several kittens.